Chasing My Forever

by Heidi McLaughlin

  “So, Quinn tells me you met at the Bean Song?”

  “Yes, I just started working there.”

  Mrs. James picks up her mug and takes a sip. “And where are you from?”

  “I moved here from Idaho,” I tell her, leaving out anything about South Carolina and college.

  “I see. Quinn tells me you’ll be joining us this afternoon at the beach. His sisters are very excited to meet you.”

  “Geez, Mom. Do you think I could ask her first?”

  His mom laughs. “I would think your friend would rather come out to the beach, where everyone will be as opposed to your sisters showing up at your doorstep.”

  I’m so confused right now. I look at Quinn, pleading for help. He sets his hand down on my leg and gives it a little squeeze. “Nola might have plans, and I’ll never understand why you had to text Peyton and Elle so quickly.”

  “Your father too.”

  Quinn hangs his head, making me feel sorry for him. Maybe this is why he’s never introduced anyone to his family.

  “Josie and Jenna as well,” she says before picking up her mug. “It’s not my fault you took forever to put your clothes on.”

  He throws his hands in the air. “You’re unbelievable.”

  She winks. “You should’ve locked your door, Quinn.” His mom stands and looks directly at me. “Please consider coming out to the beach today. His father would love to meet you.” She leans down and kisses Quinn on the cheek. “Lock your door next time, son. She deserves better than that.” I don’t know if she meant to whisper this or not, but I heard her loud and clear. I can’t help but smile, even though Quinn is clearly uncomfortable.

  The silence thickens after his mom leaves. Quinn is staring at the table, but his hand is still on my leg. I set mine on top and push my fingers between his. “I don’t have to go with you later. I know we’ve only known each other for a few days and well…”

  “And well what?” he asks, turning his attention toward me.

  “I was just going to say you don’t have to take me to meet your family today. I can sense that you’re uncomfortable by the idea.”

  He nods. “Is that what you think?”

  I nod.

  “I’m not uncomfortable, Nola. I’m mortified that I put you in this spot. Not with my mother or my family, but leaving the door unlocked for anyone to walk in. Believe me, my mother ripped into me. I’m happy you didn’t see her as soon as I walked out. She may have looked calm to you, but I swear I thought she was about to whip my ass for being a moron.”

  “Heat of the moment,” I tell him, trying to ease his internal torment.

  “Ha, heat of the moment. I was thinking with my…” He stops and doesn’t finish his sentence. We both were thinking with our emotions and not our brains. Quinn pulls me onto his lap. “I’m sorry, Nola.”

  “For what?” I ask. I brush my fingers over the beard he’s growing. I’ve never been one for facial hair, but on Quinn, it’s hot, and I really like it. “We both made a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

  He pulls his lower lip in between his teeth and adjusts the way I’m sitting. He’s hard and ready, and pushing against the seam of my shorts. “Would you like to come to meet my parents later?” he asks. “Everyone I know, and love will be there. It’ll be crazy, an utter madhouse with a bonfire, booze, and surfing. My sisters will be there. One is sweet as pie and the other is evil. My best friend will also be there. My family is wild, crass and loving, and I’d love it if you came out there with me.”

  Cupping his cheek, I lean in for a kiss. He deepens it instantly while his hands rock my hips back and forth over him. The friction is pure torture and very welcomed. Being interrupted is never a good thing and I’d like to finish what we started earlier. First, he needs an answer. It pains me to pull away, but I do.

  “I’d love to unless you’re not ready and only asking to appease your mom.”

  Quinn laughs. “I’ve never been more ready. There’s something about you, Nola. I can’t put my finger on it, but you drive me crazy with desire and I have this need to show you off, to stake a claim and call you my girlfriend. Can I do that? Can I call you my girlfriend?”

  “Yes, yes you can.” Saying those words drives a stake into my heart. Rhett is due to arrive any day to take me back home and right now, I don’t want to leave. Quinn helps me stand and walks over to the door. I use this moment to pull my phone out of my pocket and send a message to my brother. I’ve changed my mind. I’ll be home by the party.

  I hit send and shut off my phone. Quinn and I don’t have long, but I’m going to make the best of it starting now. And seek out the right moment to tell him that I have to return home by the Fourth of July.

  27

  Quinn

  I’ve never been so nervous before and driving my bike out to my parents’ place with Nola on the back, probably isn’t the best idea. I’m shaking. The grip I have on the handlebars is tight, and I’m afraid to make any sudden moves out of fear that I’ll crash.

  Nola though, she’s pressed up against me and her hands are under my shirt. Every so often, she runs her fingers over the swath of hair on my stomach, teasing me. The jitters I have only get worse when she dips her hand below my waistband. Doesn’t she realize that we’re on a motorcycle, which could turn into a death trap if I’m not careful?

  No, I don’t think she does because if she did, she’d give me a bit of space, even though it’s the last thing I want. Right now, I want to pull over along the coast, find a secluded spot and just be with her. Instead, we’re heading to my parents, with my entire family waiting.

  To say I’m surprised she’s with me would be an understatement. After this morning, if I were in her shoes, I would’ve run, fast and far. What a clusterfuck of epic fuckery. Who in the hell forgets to lock their door? Me. That’s who. I let lust get the best of me, and as far as I’m concerned, it could’ve cost me everything. I deserve to be flying solo, but Nola, she’s different. I knew this from the start. There’s just something about her that makes her stand out from the rest. What that is, I don’t know. I’m searching, but all I can find or come up with is the fact that I like her, a lot. And, I know that’s why I don’t care that she’s coming home with me. I want my family to meet her, to get to know her because I think she’s going to be around for a long time.

  As I slow my bike down, I feel Nola squirm behind me. Is she nervous? I know I am. I expect Peyton to be her bubbly self and Elle… well, I’m not sure what to expect. I wasn’t kidding when I told Nola my sisters are sweet as pie and evil. Growing up, they were the opposite. Peyton kept to herself while Elle was the outgoing loud one. After Peyton’s accident, Elle changed. She’s slowly coming back around, but I think she likes being a bossy witch every now and again.

  The line of cars surrounding my parents makes my stomach drop. We’re the last one here and will have no choice but to make a grand entrance. Deep down, I have a feeling my mom told me to be here at the wrong time so that I had to do this. She knows how much I hate being under a microscope, and yet, all eyes will be on Nola and me when we enter the house.

  I pull into the garage and set my kickstand down. Nola knows what to do. She takes my offered hand and gets off the bike. I move away from her, so I don’t kick her and send her tumbling into my dad’s, and what looks like Liam and JD’s, bikes. I’m willing to bet they’ve planned a ride for later. Something my mom and aunts absolutely love.

  Nola sets her helmet down and reaches for her hair. I grab her hand, stopping her from undoing her braid. “Leave it,” I tell her. The way her hair is falling around her face is perfect, and as much as I love her hair when it’s down, I like this look on her as well.

  “It’s messy.”

  I shrug. “It’ll be windy on the beach. You’ll want it out of your face. Besides,” I say as I sit on the edge of my bike and pull her between my legs. “When we go surfing later, you won’t want it tangled in knots.”

  “How do you know so muc
h about hair?”

  “Twin sisters remember.”

  “Ah,” she says. “How will I tell them apart?”

  “Um…” I pause, trying to think of something distinctive about them. Unfortunately, the only thing I can come up with has to do with Peyton. “My sister, Peyton, she was in a pretty bad accident almost two years ago, she has a scar down her leg.”

  “And if she’s wearing pants?”

  I laugh. “Aside from the fact that she’ll be glued to her fiancé’s side, she’s the sweet one. The one you don’t want to talk sports with. And I think Elle’s hair might be darker right now.”

  “And which one is your evil sister?”

  “That’s Elle, she’s my manager and she’s not really evil. She’s just been through a lot. Her boyfriend will be here. His name is Ben. Noah is Peyton’s better half.”

  “Well, this won’t be confusing at all, Nola and Noah.” Nola rolls her eyes before covering her face. I bring her into my arms and kiss her neck.

  “You’ll be fine. They’re harmless, they’ll be inquisitive, but they all mean well.”

  She nods against me. “Promise you won’t leave me?”

  I nudge her forward, so I can look into her eyes. “Hey, Nola?”

  “Yeah?”

  “What do you think about being my girlfriend? I’d really like to introduce you as such.”

  She leans forward, cups my face and gives me a kiss. “I think it’s cheesy and perfect. I’d love to be your girlfriend.”

  “Let’s go meet my family.” Instead of taking her through the garage, I take her to the front door. My dad has owned this condo since I was young, but when he adopted the twins, he and my mom bought the upstairs one and converted both units into one big house. As soon as we step in, Nola stops in her tracks. I look at her, not surprised in the least, by the expression on her face. The view my parents have is beyond spectacular. The wall facing the beach is pure glass that slides open, leaving a massive space to walk in and out from, making it look like there isn’t a wall there at all.

  “You live here?”

  “I used to, but only in the summers until I graduated from high school. My parents own a house in Beaumont, where we grew up. Would you like a tour, or do you want to meet everyone?” Just as I ask, my aunt Josie walks in from outside.

  “Hello, Quinn.”

  “Hey,” I say. My palms are suddenly sweaty and as much as I want to let go of Nola’s hand, I don’t want her to think I’m doing so because I’m embarrassed by her. “This is my girlfriend, Nola. This is my aunt Josie. She’s Liam’s wife.”

  Nola’s eyes go wide as she shakes Josie’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You too. Everyone’s out back. I think they’re waiting for you,” she says, looking directly at me. My lips close together, and the trepidation starts to increase. It’s now or never. There’s no escaping.

  Without even asking Nola or telling my aunt I’ll talk to her later, I walk toward the back patio. Voices grow louder, and I can hear music playing the closer we get. I pause at the door and shake my head.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “They’re listening to the demo the band made.”

  “Is that you singing?”

  I glance at Nola and nod.

  “I missed your show last night.”

  “There will be others.”

  “With a voice like yours, I have no doubt. You’re amazing.”

  “You mean in bed, right?”

  Nola laughs.

  I place my hand over my heart. “You’re bruising my ego.”

  “Incorrigible,” she calls me. “I’m pretty sure you know how I feel about you.”

  “In bed?” I hedge again.

  “If you’re going to say, ‘in bed’ after everything I say, I’m going to bury you in the sand.”

  I look out over the beach and imagine myself buried there, with only my head sticking out. Birds would crap on my head and peck my eyes out and knowing my luck a dog would come by and lift his leg. “Yeah, I’ll stop,” I tell her.

  We take the last few steps out and stand on the outside of the circle. Everyone’s sitting around the fire pit. I clear my throat, even though I know damn well they know I’m standing here.

  “Quinn, didn’t hear you come in,” my dad says. “This must be Nola.” He stands and walks over with his hand out. “I’m Harrison, Quinn’s dad.”

  “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

  “I’ll go around the circle and introduce you to everyone, okay?” She nods, and I start. “You’ve met my mom already, next to her is my aunt Jenna, JD, Ben, Noah, Betty Paige, and that’s Liam.” Everyone waves. “Where are Peyton and Elle?”

  “Right behind you,” Elle says. I turn slowly to find the terror twins standing behind me. I don’t know why I thought bringing Nola here was a good idea.

  “Nola, this is Peyton and Elle, my sisters.”

  Peyton is the first to shake Nola’s hand. Elle, on the other hand, stands there with her arms crossed. “I know you from somewhere.”

  “She works at the Bean Song,” I tell my sister.

  “Right,” Elle says, pointing at Nola. “You said something about knowing me, but we’ve never met.”

  “Actually, I had said I thought I knew his other sister, Sofia.”

  “Quinn doesn’t have any other sisters,” Peyton snaps. I’m rather surprised by her tone. “Just Elle and I, unless you mean Paige and Eden.”

  “No, I know. It was a case of mistaken identity,” Nola defends. “My friend, Sofia, she has a brother named Quinn who looks like…” She looks at me and smiles. I want to kiss her for being so brave against these two, but I don’t need an audience. Maybe when I take her out surfing later, I can sneak a few.

  “Quinn?”

  I look in the direction that my name is yelled from. Running toward us is Eden. She slams her surfboard down a few feet from us. “Who’s this?”

  “My girlfriend, Nola. This is Eden.” I make the introductions.

  “Since when do you have a girlfriend?”

  “Since right now, what’s it to you, squirt?”

  Eden looks from me to Nola, and back to me. It’s when she meets my gaze that I see she’s not happy. “Whatever,” she says and runs back toward her board.

  “Don’t mind her, mate. She’s got her knickers in a twist because she thought you’d surf with her all day,” JD says from behind us. I lead Nola over to the chairs, with my sisters hot on our tails, and sit down. I refuse to let go of her hand, out of fear she’ll leave me to the vultures that is my family.

  “I can surf later. Do you want to learn?” I ask the beauty sitting beside me.

  “If you’re teaching me, then yes.”

  “Oh, gag,” Elle blurts out.

  “Elle!” Our dad’s stern voice bellows out. He’s glaring at her, but she doesn’t seem to care. Ben goes to her, leans down and whispers something in her ear. She nods but says nothing.

  “So, what did you think of the show last night?” Dad asks.

  I glance at Elle, who is looking at the small fire. Later tonight, it’ll be a full-fledged bonfire that will attract the neighbors. “I thought it was good. The crowd was really into it.”

  “You took off right after. Where’d you go?” Elle asks.

  I smile. I can’t help it. I know exactly where I was and with who. “I had some things to take care of.” I squeeze Nola’s hand, hoping to convey that she’s the reason I bailed on the rest of the show.

  “On Monday, we have business to take care of,” Elle tells me. “Band business.”

  I don’t appease her with an answer. One isn’t needed. Her panties are in a bunch because I ditched out on something she organized. Oh well.

  “Nola, where are you from?” Peyton asks.

  She clears her throat. “I’m from South Carolina but spent the last four years in Idaho for college.”

  “Gamecocks fan?”

  Nola nods. “Quinn, tells me you’re a
football fan. My daddy is friends with Steve Spurrier. They used to golf together until Steve went to Orlando to coach.”

  As soon as Nola starts talking about football, my eyes are on my sister. I’m waiting for that moment, where Peyton will put my girlfriend in her place, but it never comes.

  “The biggest mistake he ever made was leaving Florida for the NFL.”

  “My daddy calls it the no fun league.”

  Noah chokes. His beer goes spraying into the fire. Liam starts laughing and Peyton’s mouth drops open. Nola looks at me, eyes completely wide. “Did I say something wrong?” she mumbles.

  “Noah is the quarterback for the Portland Pioneers,” I tell her.

  She covers her face for a moment. “Is there anyone in your family who isn’t famous?”

  Josie, Jenna, Betty Paige, and my mom all raise their hands. “Don’t worry, sweetie, you’ll get used to it,” my mom says. I like that she says Nola will get to used to it. What it is, I don’t know, but I’m assuming our family.

  “Are you saying you had no idea who Quinn’s family is?” Peyton asks.

  Nola nods. “Up until the other day, I had no idea who Liam was.”

  This time, everyone starts laughing. I’ve honestly never met anyone who didn’t know Liam, but I’m normally around people who gravitate toward the same lifestyle he leads, so it makes sense. I pull her toward me and kiss the top of her head. “God, I lo…” I stop speaking before I say the words that could ruin everything. We haven’t known each other very long and there’s no way I’m in love with her. Lust, yes. But love… I’m not even sure I know what that is.

  28

  Eleanora

  Quinn’s family is fun, and they’re not treating me like a gold digger trying to get a piece of the pie because that is exactly what this could look like. I stumbled into a mega superstar family without even knowing who a single one of these people are. Quinn’s Dad and his band aside, his best friend is also in the NFL, his one sister is his band manager and his other one is going to be a sideline reporter starting in the fall. I’ve never met a family so well connected in my life and I’m from a plantation that’s been in my family since its inception in the late seventeen hundreds. Our roots run deep with tradition, but this group thrives on success. I could sit and listen to their stories for hours.